Bit Bent

Our weekly groups are participant-led, with activities based on group member’s interests. We provide the space, supervision and support for young people to meet peers outside of their regular school and social settings.

Since its inception around 20 years ago, Bit Bent has provided a culturally safe, participant-led space for LGBTQIA+ young people aged 10 to 25 and their allies. Within that age cohort, we know that life experiences vary.

To facilitate developmentally appropriate, safe conversation and effective sharing of experiences, we offer two age cohorts for Bit Bent, both on Thursday afternoons. Young people aged 10 to 17 years old meet from 4 to 6pm, while those aged 18 to 25 meet from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

The half-hour cross-over period where Bit Bent participants of all ages are together provides opportunities for support and mentoring across the age groups.  This time often includes a facilitated circle time, where people share their name and their pronouns, and may answer an ice-breaker question.  Building connections between the groups makes transitioning from the younger group to the older group easier and provides a sense of being part of a wider community.

At times, we facilitate events and activities for both age cohorts together, and these events are more meaningful when the participants are familiar with each other.